ProBioSSep (Microbial processes, stabilization, separation)

One of the current challenges facing process and bioprocess engineering is process intensification, involving hybrid technologies that can combine multiple operations within in a single piece of equipment, or flexible, low-cost, high-performance arrangements of unit operations. The goals are to “produce better using less”, in smaller volumes, with greater efficiency and selectivity, using less energy, water, raw materials and solvents.

The work of the ProBioSSep team revolves around a central question: "How can we design and optimize production/stabilization or production/separation processes that integrate product quality, process performance and environmental impact?"

The team focuses on:

• real and relatively complex media and matrices (e.g. fermentation musts, hydrolysates, effluents, agro-industrial co-products),
• processes contributing to their use or production (biotechnological and/or separative processes),
• products of interest (micro-organisms with functionalities of interest, "platform" molecules, organic acids, flavor compounds).

Concerning microbial functionalities, the team’s research explores microorganisms of interest that are implemented in bioreactors to achieve either:

• a microbial biomass under controlled conditions, which is then stabilized by freezing, freeze-drying, or drying, and whose performance and functionalities (e.g., acidification capacity) are ultimately characterized according to various criteria,
• or molecules of interest produced through biotransformations, particularly from agro-industrial by-products or effluents, to which unit operations may be applied within coupled or even integrated processes.

Across both of these approaches, the developed coupling strategy aims to optimize the studied processes according to several criteria, such as minimizing utilities (energy, water, effluents), notably by using ‘Pinch’ methods for water and Life Cycle Assessment methodologies.